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Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) being an important biotic component in the environment immensely contribute to ecological processes but several species pose a threat to human health also. The establishment of the Regional Centre for Ant Research attached to the Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, a timely idea of Senior Professor Sunanda Madduma Bandara, current Vice-Chancellor of University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, will facilitate future studies on Ants of Sri Lanka and the Region. The Centre intends to establish and maintain an ant repository for the ants of Sri Lanka and Asian Region, which is essentially required to facilitate studies on the ant diversity and taxonomy and research collaboration with foreign institutes and ant experts. In addition, young ant researchers will be provided with knowledge and practical experience to explore many unknown ant species in the region and the findings of ant research will be disseminated through international conferences and meetings and publications.

1. Provision of short-term training courses on field sampling methods and identification of ants to the possible taxonomic levels

2. Provision of a service to identify unknown ants

3. Provision of library facilities/ information on literature relevant to ant research

4. Dissemination of knowledge through holding an international conference on ants, at least once in every two years

Message to Asian Ant Researchers

You are kindly invited to join “Regional Centre for Ant Research” for conducting research on various aspects on ants.

Local or foreign students or teachers who intend to get the hands-on experience on sampling methods and identification of ants, please contact me. I will design training programmes for groups to fulfill your requirements.